All-New, 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Arrives with Sleeker Look, Less Weight and More Features

General Motors has revealed the all-new, 2016 Chevrolet Cruze, which is not only bigger than the previous Cruze, but also sleeker, lighter and more high-tech. There is a lot more to love about the American compact sedan.

More visually dynamic than the previous model, the new Cruze adopts many of the same styling cues as the similarly-new Malibu and Volt, featuring a sharper front end and a sleeker, more elongated profile. It’s more attractive than the China-market Cruze that was unveiled in 2015.

GM’s engineers lowered the car’s body by almost one inch (25 mm) and increased its length by 2.7 inches (68 mm). Its wheelbase stands at 106.3 inches (2700 mm), which the company says is best-in-segment.

Despite growing in size, the 2016 Cruze manages to be 250 lbs (113 kg) lighter than the first-generation model and benefits from a 27 percent stiffer body. Hours of wind tunnel tuning has granted it an impressive 0.29 drag coefficient.

The 2016 Chevrolet Cruze is powered by an all-new turbocharged, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 153 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) of torque between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, all of which is sent to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a respectable eight seconds.

When equipped with the six-speed automatic, the 2016 Cruze will returns an estimated 40 mpg in the United States (48 mpg UK or 5.8 liters / 100 km) in highway driving, making it one of the most fuel-efficient, non-hybrid cars money can buy.

An even more fuel-efficient diesel model will be offered later on in 2017, details of which will be announced closer to launch.

The simple yet tasteful interior is also stylistically-inspired by the Volt’s and, thanks to the longer wheelbase, offers two inches more knee and legroom for rear passengers. It comes nicely-equipped with Chevrolet’s capable MyLink infotainment system, which features a 7-inch-diagonal color touchscreen and is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Those looking for more tech goodies have the option of MyLink radio with an 8-inch display and a navigation system compatible with Apple CarPlay.

The long list of standard features also includes 10 airbags, disc brakes on all four corners, and a rearview camera, while safety technologies like Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert and Forward Collision Alert are part of the options list.

2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE Is Faster With New 10-Speed Auto

Because excellence is not always good enough…

The 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE is now faster than ever thanks the application of a new 10 speed automatic transmission.

According to Chevy, the new automatic transmission makes the critically-acclaimed sports car faster than the manual equipped version, allowing it to lap General Motors’ 2.9-mile Milford Road Course more than one half second faster.

Engineers were also able to shave off several seconds from their previous Nurburgring lap times set with the six-speed manual ZL1 1LE.

“This transmission is optimized for speed,” said Camaro Chief Engineer Mark Dickens. “With unique Track Mode calibrations and 10 gears, you are always in the perfect gear when rolling on or off the throttle. You may not be a professional race car driver, but now you can shift like one.”

The calibrations for the transmission, electronic limited-slip differential and traction control system were tweaked to achieve the best performance, while the front and rear Multimatic DSSV dampers have been tuned to accommodate the quicker shifts in weight transfer.

As a reminder, the Camaro ZL1 is powered by a supercharged 6.2L V8 that produces 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft. of torque. Pricing for the 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE starts at $64,695 in the United States,. Opting for the new 10-speed auto adds $1,595 to the price.

These American classics made a name for themselves in a field dominated by Mustangs and Corvettes.

In Part One of our article on second-tier muscle cars, we looked at six of 12 models that are certainly considered genuine muscle cars but failed to make the waves that some of their bigger-engined brothers did. Here are the remaining six lesser known gems of the muscle car era.

1967 Dodge Coronet R/T

The R/T was a special model produced to make a statement. While a more domestic version with a 440 CID engine was available, buyers had the option of a monster.

Yes, according to , the Dodge Coronet could be optioned with the 426-cid Hemi. Drivetrain options were Mopar’s excellent heavy-duty three-speed TorqueFlite automatic or a four-speed manual.

1964 Mercury Marauder

The debuted in the middle of 1963 to take part in the horsepower wars. It was available with the 390, 406, and 427 cubic-inch engines, which could be paired with a 3-speed or 4-speed manual, or a 3-speed automatic.

1968 Chevrolet Biscayne 427

The all-new 1965 Biscayne was available with just one engine, a 250 cu in inline-six. That all changed in 1966 when the in-line six became the entry level engine, replaced by the Big-Block 427 cu in V-8 as the top engine.

The high-powered, high-revving 425 hp V8 version with solid lifters proved to be what the doctor ordered.

1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 Sport Coupe

Introduced in 1964, the Pontiac Catalina was 2+2, a full size coupe based on General Motors’ iconic B-body chassis. It sourced its power from a 421 cu in powertrain with dual exhaust, heavy duty front springs, a 3-speed synchromesh manual transmission (a 4-speed with a Hurst shifter came as an option), and a 3.42:1 performance axle ratio.

1970 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400

Built by Pontiac from 1967 to 2002 — yes, it was around for that long — the Firebird was a very capable machine. Two Ram Air 400 cu in engines were available for the 1970 model year: The first was the L74 Ram Air III model (335 HP) and the second was a 345 hp LS1 Ram Air IV (370 HP) that were carried over from 1969.

The was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 6.4 seconds.

1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt

The Fairlane Thunderbolt introduced in 1964 as a limited production, factory experimental model. A total of 100 units were produced — forty-nine featuring a 4-speed and fifty-one making due with an automatic — which was enough to secure Ford the 1964 NHRA Super Stock title.

The Thunderbolt’s combination of Ford’s light weight, intermediate-sized body with a “high rise” 427 cu in V8 powertrain and dual Holley four-barrel carburetors proved to be a force to be reckoned with in NASCAR.

Chevy Corvette Gets Big Price Increase For 2019

The C7 Corvette remains a popular sports car even though sales are declining. If you’re hoping to get one, you better act fast.

Kerbeck Corvette in Atlantic City, has revealed that some versions of the 2019 Corvette are getting a for the 2019 model year. The starting price of the base Corvette Stingray has increased by $405 to $55,900, a small differential that gets much bigger as you move up the Corvette range.

For example, the 2019 Z06 coupe now starts at $80,900, representing a $1,405 price hike, while the range-topping ZR1 shoots up by $2,500 to $125,400. Have a look at the price differential for each model…

Chevy has also raised the price for the 8-speed automatic transmission, which now costs $1,995 compared to $1,725 previously.

It’s not clear why the prices were raised across the board, especially since Corvette sales continue to decline.